Kirkland Nissan

Seattle, What Are The Advantages of a Manual Transmission?
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(Posted on Aug 27, 2018 at 05:50AM by Patrick Wensink)

Hey Patrick,

I have my eye on a Nissan Altima, but it is a manual. I learned how to drive one years ago, but Iâ€™m curious why auto manufacturers even bother to still make them?

-Bruce

Hi Bruce,

Trust me, you are going to flip out on the road with this car. Yes, Iâ€™m a purist, but a stick shift has a ton of advantages that most people overlook.

Experts say it can increase your fuel efficiency by 5-to-15% when used properly.
They are far cheaper to maintain because mechanics have an easier time pulling it apart and putting them back together.
Operating the clutch yourself puts drivers in touch with the car in a unique way. If thereâ€™s a weird knock or rattle, you will know it immediately.
Itâ€™s an added security measure. According to statistics, manual transmissions are only stolen about 6% of the time. When a robber peeks in the window and sees a shifter they simply give up.

You will love this experience. Many of our owners never want to go back.

Let me know if any other questions pop up!

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Car Financing Questions

Do Bellevue Drivers Know Why a Down Payment Is Important?
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(Posted on Aug 27, 2018 at 05:42AM by Patrick Wensink)

Dear Patrick,

I have been dreaming about the new Nissan Leaf I test drove last week. However, Iâ€™m wondering if I can save a little money and simply not make a down payment. Whatâ€™s the worst that could happen?

-Celeste

Hi Celeste,

Thatâ€™s a great choice. I can understand why you are so eager to take this Leaf home. Buyers often feel quite a pinch every month if they donâ€™t make a down payment.

To be clear, some lenders donâ€™t require any money up front, but borrowers will usually get slapped with a huge interest rate for the honor.
Instead, experts strongly recommend putting whatever you can up before the sale. This not only lowers the monthly dues, but it also gives you a lot more leverage. Banks and other car loan companies will often give a better percentage when there is a chunk of change up front.

Donâ€™t forget, selling your current vehicle and using that can help if your account is a little tight. Whatever amount sounds manageable will ultimately make an impact in the long run.

Let me know if there are any other questions we can answer.

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Car Maintenance Questions

Redmond, What Can An Odometer Tell You?
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most common nissan car maintenance questions tacoma washington most common nissan car insurance questions tacoma washington most common nissan car truck questions tacoma washington most common nissan automotive questions answers tacoma washington most common used nissan auto questions tacoma washington

(Posted on Aug 27, 2018 at 05:34AM by Patrick Wensink)

Dear Patrick,

Iâ€™m looking into buying a pre-owned Nissan Pathfinder. But thereâ€™s one question Iâ€™ve always wanted to ask: Should I care more about mileage or age of the vehicle?

-Will

Hi Will,

Congrats on your future purchase! I have a hunch you will be happy with any of them. However, there is no single rule that should guide this buying decision.

Mileage is a great foundation to base a choice on. Itâ€™s a simple way of telling how much life the car has lived. An automobile with 60,000 on the odometer has probably had a lot less wear and tear than an automobile with 160,000.

This is only part of the equation. A young auto that has covered a lot of pavement could be more beaten up than an older model that has traveled gracefully. Adding to the confusion, one should ask how well the car has been cared for. A ten-year-old sedan offering extremely low mileage looks like a dream, but it might be a sign of sitting stagnant with a heap of trouble waiting.

Our best advice is to find a combination of all the above and ensure it is a certified used car that has been inspected by a pro.

Let us know if there are other questions you have.Â

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Car Maintenance Questions

Do Kirkland Drivers Know When to Change Their Spark Plugs?
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most common nissan car maintenance questions tacoma washington most common nissan car insurance questions tacoma washington most common nissan car truck questions tacoma washington most common nissan automotive questions answers tacoma washington most common used nissan auto questions tacoma washington

(Posted on Aug 27, 2018 at 05:26AM by Patrick Wensink)

Dear Patrick,

I remember my dad changing the spark plugs on his cars all the time. Iâ€™d like to do it on my new Nissan Maxima, but I donâ€™t even have a clue of when to try.

-Sandra

Hi Sandra,

My father was the exact same. Swapping out plugs is one of the simplest ways to keep your engine operating smoothly. Sadly, itâ€™s become a lost art. Letâ€™s change that! Here are some signals to watch for.

The carâ€™s gas mileage has started to sag. When they get dirty they do not effectively burn fuel, which ends up costing you at the pump.

The motor wheezes and coughs upon turning the ignition. They provide the spark (pun intended) needed to get all the gears running under the hood. When just one gets filthy or bent, youâ€™ll know it with a quick twist of the key.

Similarly, when the plugs have gone south, you wonâ€™t be able to accelerate as well. If things arenâ€™t igniting the way they should, the throttle will seem a little depressed.

The good news is that swapping out a fresh set of spark plugs fixes these problems. Anyone with a wrench and some patience can be on the road to better automobile performance!

Let me know if you have other questions.

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Car Maintenance Questions

Hey Redmond! Is An Automatic Better Than a Stick?
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most common nissan car maintenance questions tacoma washington most common nissan car insurance questions tacoma washington most common nissan car truck questions tacoma washington most common nissan automotive questions answers tacoma washington most common used nissan auto questions tacoma washington

(Posted on Aug 27, 2018 at 05:20AM by Patrick Wensink)

Dear Patrick,

My boyfriend and I are having an argument that you can settle. Believe it or not, I drive an automatic Nissan Murano and he owns a manual. He says my car has no advantage. Can you prove him wrong?

-Cynthia

Dear Cynthia,

While I do love the old fashioned way, there is nothing to worry about. Your transmission has more benefits, in my personal opinion.

First, resale value. When getting ready to move on to a new vehicle, experts agree that your car will sell a lot faster than a stick. The reason is simple: anyone is able drive it. The same canâ€™t be said for your boyfriendâ€™s ride.

Second, this kind of clutch simply makes everything easier. Thank your lucky stars for it when the automobile is stuck in traffic or creeping up hills. The constant pedal pushing is enough to make a personâ€™s left foot drop off!

Third, fuel economy. It used to be that a manual had the upper hand here. But, modern cars with things like variable gears are now just as good on MPGs as anything else.

Hope this settles the debate! Let me know if there are more questions I can answer.

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Car Maintenance Questions

Do Drivers in Fife Need Winter Weather Tires?
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most common nissan car maintenance questions tacoma washington most common nissan car insurance questions tacoma washington most common nissan car truck questions tacoma washington most common nissan automotive questions answers tacoma washington most common used nissan auto questions tacoma washington

(Posted on Aug 19, 2018 at 08:12PM by Patrick Wensink)

Dear Patrick,

I like to plan ahead and get ready for bad weather before it happens. Iâ€™m debating buying a set of winter tires for my Nissan Armada, but Iâ€™m wondering whether or not they actually do anything useful?

-Glenn

Hi Glenn,

Great to hear from you. Itâ€™s always reassuring to know people are thinking about worst case scenarios out there. But if you really plan to stay safe once the weather gets colder you might want to consider a specialized set of wheels.

To be clear: These are not the same as snow treads, which have been studded to specifically handle the most difficult and slick conditions. Winter tires, on the other hand, are geared more toward everyday driving during the frigid time of year. They have been built to battle the extreme drops in temperature with ease.

Thatâ€™s because experts say they retain their suppleness and grip when the thermometer gets low. Its rubber is specially formulated to avoid drastic changes in shape and form during brutal cold. A traditional warm-weather set will shrink a little throughout these frosty months, thereby losing effectiveness on the highway.

Safe driving this year. Let me know if this answers your question.

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Car Maintenance Questions

Bellevue, Are Your Following The Correct Service Schedule?
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most common nissan car maintenance questions tacoma washington most common nissan car insurance questions tacoma washington most common nissan car truck questions tacoma washington most common nissan automotive questions answers tacoma washington most common used nissan auto questions tacoma washington

(Posted on Aug 19, 2018 at 08:04PM by Patrick Wensink)

Dear Patrick,

I just bought a used Nissan Maxima and I plan on caring for this baby for life. Iâ€™m wondering what takes priority for service: the dealerâ€™s schedule, the car companyâ€™s recommended maintenance, or the instrument panel?

-Andy

Hi Andy,

Congratulations! You have stumbled onto one of the oldest questions known to man. But donâ€™t worry, we know the answer. Thatâ€™s because there are only a few simple things to keep in mind.

First of all: always follow your warning gauges. If it lights up by saying something is wrong, get it looked at. A carâ€™s various sensors are in touch with the current operation of the engine and other components. In addition, they are often programmed to alert owners upon a manufacturerâ€™s recommendations, too.

However, it is valuable to compare and contrast the Nissan repair plans with the sellerâ€™s. Often the two overlap. But sometimes not. We recommend taking the dealerâ€™s advice very seriously, especially on pre-owned vehicles. The mechanics are trained to see what strains it has been through, and they are geniuses at predicting future needs. Nobody can play fortune teller as well as the people who inspected your automobile before purchase.

Hope that clarifies this understandably confusing issue. Let me know if you have more questions.

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Car Maintenance Questions

Seattle, Do Your MPGs Dip During Winter?
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most common nissan car maintenance questions tacoma washington most common nissan car insurance questions tacoma washington most common nissan car truck questions tacoma washington most common nissan automotive questions answers tacoma washington most common used nissan auto questions tacoma washington

(Posted on Aug 19, 2018 at 07:55PM by Patrick Wensink)

Dear Patrick,

I have been a Nissan driver my entire life, and I currently love my Nissan Rogue. However, I keep noticing its fuel mileage takes a dip in the winter. Should I be fixing something?

-Rhonda

Hi Rhonda,

As if cold, grueling weather wasnâ€™t tough enough, right? We have good and bad news about this discovery. The upside is that you are not crazy! No matter the car, it is likely to experience a 20-25% drop in efficiency during frigid temperatures.

There are several factors that lead to this. Mainly, gas mileage is calculated in a laboratory under ideal driving conditions. While weather testing is standard for a lot of components, MPGs simply isnâ€™t one of them. So, when we put added stress on the motor, like a heater and defroster, thatâ€™s the reason you are seeing these numbers.

Now for the not-so-great news: there is not much that can counteract it. Just know that itâ€™s perfectly natural and nothing to be alarmed about. The best solution we can offer is to keep watching the meteorologistâ€™s report in hopes of sunny days ahead!

Let me know if I can tell you more regarding this complex topic.Â

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Car Maintenance Questions

Tacoma, Do You Pay Enough Attention To Your Timing Belts?
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most common nissan car maintenance questions tacoma washington most common nissan car insurance questions tacoma washington most common nissan car truck questions tacoma washington most common nissan automotive questions answers tacoma washington most common used nissan auto questions tacoma washington

(Posted on Aug 19, 2018 at 07:46PM by Patrick Wensink)

Dear Patrick,

My mechanic recommends changing the timing belt for my 2017 Nissan Sentra. But it has been running fine. This isnâ€™t really a big deal, is it?

-Austin

Hi Austin,

It is great news that your car is working properly right now. But ignoring this matter could lead to all sorts of awful problems. Experts agree this uncelebrated component is actually the lifeblood of the entire vehicle. Just like the name implies, it ensures each engine valve opens and closes at the precise moment they should. This allows for the appropriate intake and exhaust strokes within the cylinder. That means if the timing belt is even the slightest bit off, it could be total chaos under the hood.

If someone is suggesting replacing it, weâ€™d take that advice seriously. If the belt goes south, you will be left with abundantly expensive motor repairs. Trust us, this will save a lot of money and heartbreak by getting the everything properly cared for.

Ask the person who fixes the car to show you how it all works. Itâ€™s pretty fascinating!

Good luck and safe driving. Let me know if you have any other questions.

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Car Maintenance Questions

Is a Synthetic Oil Blend Right for Kirkland's Roads?
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most common nissan car maintenance questions tacoma washington most common nissan car insurance questions tacoma washington most common nissan car truck questions tacoma washington most common nissan automotive questions answers tacoma washington most common used nissan auto questions tacoma washington

(Posted on Aug 19, 2018 at 07:35PM by Patrick Wensink)

Dear Patrick,

I am nearing a milestone with my new Nissan Pathfinder. Itâ€™s time for its first oil change, and Iâ€™m curious about whether it is safe to switch to a synthetic blend. Also, is it a big deal to use a different grade?

-Kate

Hi Kate,

Awwww. Just like babyâ€™s first steps, people never forget such a magical moment! Only kidding (I hope). But this is an important time for the vehicle and its owner. You clearly already know how important regular upkeep can be, which is great. Itâ€™s perfectly okay to switch from traditional oil to something a little more high-tech. With a new engine like yours, there shouldnâ€™t be a problem. The only situation when drivers may want to consult their mechanic is for older cars that have been using regular 10W-40 for a while. Since this is not the case here, everything should be fine.

Now, as for the blends, we advise owners to avoid getting too creative. A manufacturerâ€™s recommendations for lubrication is very scientific and specifically geared for each model. Donâ€™t stray far from what they say to pour into the motor.

Hope that helps you with this exciting time in your ownership voyage.Â

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21st Century Car Buying! Free Service Loaners For Life!

Seattle, What Are The Advantages of a Manual Transmission?

Do Bellevue Drivers Know Why a Down Payment Is Important?

Redmond, What Can An Odometer Tell You?

Do Kirkland Drivers Know When to Change Their Spark Plugs?

Hey Redmond! Is An Automatic Better Than a Stick?

Do Drivers in Fife Need Winter Weather Tires?

Bellevue, Are Your Following The Correct Service Schedule?

Seattle, Do Your MPGs Dip During Winter?

Tacoma, Do You Pay Enough Attention To Your Timing Belts?

Is a Synthetic Oil Blend Right for Kirkland's Roads?

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